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Posted!

Edward Smith, right, explains cockpit controls for the new Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II at Naval Air Station Lemoore on Wednesday, January 25, 2017. Media and other guests were present to welcome the first four of the new jets. Ron Holman,

Jeff Babione speaks Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Naval Air Station Lemoore about the arrival of the new Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II. Babione is the Executive Vice President and General Manager, F-35 Lightning II Program, at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. Ron Holman,

Edward Smith, left, explains cockpit controls for the new Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II at Naval Air Station Lemoore on Wednesday, January 25, 2017. Media and other guests were present to welcome the first four of the new jets. Ron Holman,

Lt. Chaplain Johnson G. Folahan give the benediction at Naval Air Station Lemoore during ceremony for the arrival of four new Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II jets on Wednesday, January 25, 2017. Ron Holman,

CDR John E. Turner, Jr. speaks Wednesday, January 25, 2017 to those gathered at Naval Air Station Lemoore to celebrate the arrival of the new Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II. The jet behind him is one of four that arrived today. Ron Holman,

Airman Renee Rumsfiled talks about her involvement with the one of the new Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II jets that at Naval Air Station Lemoore on Wednesday, January 25, 2017. The one in the background has her name on the underside. Ron Holman,

LCDR Kyle Jason, top, welcomes Supranee Degran of Irvine and others to look inside the cockpit of the new Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II at Naval Air Station Lemoore on Wednesday, January 25, 2017. Ron Holman,

The squadron charged with manning the U.S. Navy's "game-changing" stealth aircraft is almost ready for a solo mission.

Last week, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 “Argonauts” was issued its interim clearance safe-for-flight operations certification, meaning they will soon be able to operate independently.

The new fighter squadron brings not only highly-advanced flight technology but worldwide recognition to their Central Valley home base, Naval Air Station Lemoore.

“As the Argonauts close out 2018 and the final stages of our safe-for-flight certification, we continue to exhibit the relentless drive required to meet transition goals and milestones," said Patrick Corrigan, VFA-147 commanding officer. "With this certification, we are announcing that we have the right skills, training and people to take this mission and execute it, to its fullest potential.”

The Argonauts are expected to be combat ready by early next year, Navy officials said.

CDR John E. Turner, Jr. speaks Wednesday, January 25, 2017 to those gathered at Naval Air Station Lemoore to celebrate the arrival of the new Lockheed-Martin Lightning II F-35 C. The jet behind him is one of four that arrived today.(Photo: Ron Holman)

A "game changer"

When it was first revealed at NAS Lemoore, the F-35C Lightning II was applauded for its state-of-the-art technology and capabilities.

The F-35 is designed to deliver stealth, sensing, and command and control capabilities in order to assure access and project power. The F-35C is a single-seat, single engine jet with a wingspan of 43 feet. It can reach Mach 1.6 speeds –– 1,200 mph.

Integrated sensors are built into the plane to allow for heightened surveillance, intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities.

The fifth-generation advances can be seen in the cockpit.

There are drastically fewer switches and knobs, and more functionality than compared to an F-18. Most controlling is done on flat-screen displays and on the throttle and stick.

The F-35’s helmet will also provide extra awareness. All information needed to complete missions, including airspeed, heading, altitude, targeting information and warning, is projected onto the helmet’s visor.

Each helmet is also equipped with night vision, two ocular lenses and is tailored to each pilot.

“It’s like Iron Man,” said PFE Maintainer Desmond Campbell at the reveal. “It’s awesome to work with.”

The plane is the first of it's kind, said Lt. Cmdr. Lydia Bock, U.S. Navy public affairs officer.

"It's a completely different aircraft in the way it does business," Bock said. "It has different capabilities that the Navy currently doesn't have."

The aircraft brings the ability to collect and share information in mass.

Bock likened it to a giant flying computer.

"It's like the eye in the sky," she said. "It can collect all of the information and go where the Super Hornets can't go."

Edward Smith, left, explains cockpit controls for the new Lockheed-Martin Lightning II F-35 C at Naval Air Station Lemoore on Wednesday, January 25, 2017. Media and other guests were present to welcome the first four of the new jets.(Photo: Ron Holman)

At home in Lemoore

NAS Lemoore is currently the only home to the stealth aircraft.

When the aircraft first touched down in the Central Valley, officials named the area's "un-encroached" airspace as one of the reasons for choosing the rural base.

"It makes sense to bring Joint Strike Fighter to the location where they can train with the same people they are going to war with," Bock said. "Lemoore is great for the F-35 and the F-35 is great for Lemoore."

While NAS Lemoore does have housing on base for military personnel and their families, some choose to live in the nearby Lemoore and Hanford communities.

So far, the new fleet has brought about 800 military members and their family to the area.

"I have seen more people posting (on social media) saying they are delighted we are here and that they are delighted we are doing the training here," she added. "I think they are excited this historical milestone is happening right in their own backyard."

LCDR Kyle Jason, top, welcomes Supranee Degran of Irvine and others to look inside the cockpit of the new Lockheed-Martin Lightning II F-35 C at Naval Air Station Lemoore on Wednesday, January 25, 2017.(Photo: Ron Holman)

Combat ready

Navy officials expect the aircraft to be combat ready early next year.

Until then, VFA-147 has been working alongside VFA-125 "Rough Raiders" who were assigned oversight responsibility at NAS Lemoore.

The certification is the final step for VFA-147’s transition from the F/A-18E Super Hornet to the F-35C. VFA-147 is scheduled to complete its carrier qualifications later this year.

Following the certification, the U.S. Navy hopes to declare Initial Operating Capability, meaning the squadron can go into combat.

“The Argonauts’ safe-for-flight operations certification was earned through the herculean effort of squadron sailors and is an acknowledgment that they have developed the skills to safely maintain and operate the F-35C Lightning II,” said Capt. Max McCoy, Joint Strike Fighter Wing commander. “We eagerly look forward to declaring IOC and integrating the F-35C into the Carrier Strike Group. This aircraft is a key component to maintaining the U.S. Navy’s dominance anywhere in the world.”